City and Borough of Juneau, Alaska

Municipal Avalanche Hazard

Arial view of the city of Juneau, Alaska, in summer. Mountains in the background, water in the foreground.
Client
City and Borough of Juneau
Project Details

The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) is situated below steep mountainous terrain and therefore must manage development in avalanche and landslide hazard areas. Dynamic and Tetra Tech Canada Inc. were contracted to evaluate these hazards with modern methods to produce updated hazard designation mapping.

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Challenges
  • The affected facilities are valued at over $500 million (US) and represent nearly half of the value of all facilities at risk in Alaska. 
  • In the last century, over 72 CBJ buildings have been damaged or destroyed by avalanches.
  • Elements at risk include state facilities, 62 homes, a hotel, and a boat harbour.
  • Modern mapping for over 50 avalanche paths was required to more accurately define the hazard to help the CBJ plan future development.

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Successes
  • Dynamic assessed the avalanche hazard for CBJ by completing a detailed field review, avalanche modelling and a semi-quantitative analysis.
  • A modernized hazard zone designation system was developed to establish zones of low, moderate, and severe hazard areas.
  • Dynamic produced high-resolution mapping that can be used at the parcel scale. 
  • CBJ has adopted the mapping, resulting in updates to the current city zoning, ordinance, and building code regulations.
Arial view of avalanche path and slide above the city of Juneau.
View from helicopter down mountain side into the valley and city of Juneau.
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